Remembering good deeds

A girl scout in Troop 1359 wrote about some of her good deeds in this journal.

NICK TOMECEK / Daily News

By LAUREN DELGADO / Daily News

Published: Friday, March 15, 2013 at 06:16 PM.

SHALIMAR — As they waited for their meeting to begin, Girl Scouts of Troop 1359 scribbled in green composition books. Some chatted with friends, heads together as they looked at each other’s journal. Others took their time with the notebooks, pausing as they chose a word before continuing.

“If you could give away a box of cookies, who would you give it to?” read a note on the dry erase board.

Before each of their meetings at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Shalimar, the girls take time to remember and record good deeds from the previous week in their notebooks. Heather Swanson, their troop leader, also writes a question on the board for them to contemplate and answer.

The girls can share their deeds during the meeting. Swanson also reads all the notebooks each week. She writes notes to encourage and recognize everyone’s good works, even if the girls are too shy to talk about them with the troop.

“I never know what they‘re going to say,” Swanson said with a laugh.

Their deeds range from helping a parent to befriending a lonely classmate.

“My good deed was helping my brother get dressed so he would not get in trouble,” wrote Sarah Nelson, 10, of Shalimar.

“Today me and my friends were riding our bikes and we stopped and picked up trash along the way to keep our environment clean,” wrote 6-year-old Elena Land of Fort Walton Beach.

Leilani Jay-Petersen, 9, said the notebook motivates her to do a random act of kindness to report each week.

“No matter how big or how small you are, you can make a difference,” Leilani said.

The journals are a great way to hear about her friends’ good deeds, said 7-year-old Laura Price.

“I think it’s very inspiring to know that everybody here has done good deeds,” Laura said.

Swanson said she wanted to show the girls it doesn’t matter a person’s age or situation in life, he or she can always help another.

“It needs to start somewhere,” Swanson said.

Daily News Staff Writer Lauren Delgado can be reached at 850-315-4445 or ldelgado@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @LaurenDnwfdn.

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SHALIMAR — As they waited for their meeting to begin, Girl Scouts of Troop 1359 scribbled in green composition books. Some chatted with friends, heads together as they looked at each other’s journal. Others took their time with the notebooks, pausing as they chose a word before continuing.

“If you could give away a box of cookies, who would you give it to?” read a note on the dry erase board.

Before each of their meetings at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Shalimar, the girls take time to remember and record good deeds from the previous week in their notebooks. Heather Swanson, their troop leader, also writes a question on the board for them to contemplate and answer.

The girls can share their deeds during the meeting. Swanson also reads all the notebooks each week. She writes notes to encourage and recognize everyone’s good works, even if the girls are too shy to talk about them with the troop.

“I never know what they‘re going to say,” Swanson said with a laugh.

Their deeds range from helping a parent to befriending a lonely classmate.

“My good deed was helping my brother get dressed so he would not get in trouble,” wrote Sarah Nelson, 10, of Shalimar.

“Today me and my friends were riding our bikes and we stopped and picked up trash along the way to keep our environment clean,” wrote 6-year-old Elena Land of Fort Walton Beach.

Leilani Jay-Petersen, 9, said the notebook motivates her to do a random act of kindness to report each week.

“No matter how big or how small you are, you can make a difference,” Leilani said.

The journals are a great way to hear about her friends’ good deeds, said 7-year-old Laura Price.

“I think it’s very inspiring to know that everybody here has done good deeds,” Laura said.

Swanson said she wanted to show the girls it doesn’t matter a person’s age or situation in life, he or she can always help another.

“It needs to start somewhere,” Swanson said.

Daily News Staff Writer Lauren Delgado can be reached at 850-315-4445 or ldelgado@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @LaurenDnwfdn.